Product:

Hooks, Killer Salesmanship, The Function of Seduction, and Operation Moneysuck…

“Kick-Ass Copywriting Secrets of a Marketing Rebel”

An “insider” shortcut guide to creating sensational ads that will supercharge your business, your wealth, and your life… even if you flunked English! 

Author: John Carlton

Reviewer: Beth Ann Erickson

Date of Purchase: October 2005

Date of Review: February 1, 2005

Price: Depends on the level of support you want from Carlton

What ‘cha get: I ordered the “Insider Club” package and received the following:

ü      The “Kick Ass Copywriting Secrets of a Marketing Rebel” three-ring binder textbook/course.

ü      Two volumes of John Carlton’s collected ads and letters. GREAT swipe file. He not only included the ads/letters, he also provided commentary on why/how the letter pulled.

ü      Four high-quality CDs. Carlton reads the entire text of his course so you can study any where, any time.

ü      One “Scuttlebutt” tape of a conversation Carlton had with Gary Halbert. Wow.

ü      A special report listing Carton’s “Power Words.”

ü      His “20 Clicks” notes outlining a very potent marketing tactic.

ü      A certificate for a “Warp Speed Phone Consultation” at half price.

ü      A full 12 month subscription to Carlton’s “Marketing Rebel Rant.”

ü      And BEST OF ALL… e-mail access to Carlton for unlimited (soon to be very limited) critiques.

My Impressions:

OK. I’ve been working as a copywriter for a while now. I’ve read tons of books on the subject, even taken more than one course designed to make my writing tighter, brighter, leaner.

I figured, why on EARTH would I need another copywriting course?

Well… turns out I did.

Wow. I wasn’t quite prepared for everything this course teaches.

First, the box arrives. It’s hefty. I’m actually impressed since I’ve received more than one high-priced product that arrived in a puny box that left my husband scratching his head asking if I’m sure I’d received everything I’d ordered.

Didn’t happen here.

The hefty box arrived and I dug in.

OK. Let’s start with the course itself: Eighteen sections covering everything from copywriting basics to tricks to making sure your writing gets read. I loved the section on “simple wizardry of capturing your reader’s imagination.”

If you’re stuck on how to begin writing pretty much anything, Carlton’s “starter menu of sample letter and ad themes” will get you started fast.

He also covers snarly topics like “how to find and feed your own flush, hungry, passionate mob” and “an idiot’s guide to consumer psychology.” And he accomplishes this in a most entertaining style, I might add.

Thing is, the information Carlton provides is utterly dense. As in thick. As in “I hope I got all that” type reading.

There’s a TON of information packed into every page and I figure I could read through this entire text at least five times and easily dig out new nuggets each time.

This guy really knows how to toss extraneous words and stick on topic. Hemingway would be proud.

Now, if meaty reading isn’t your style, not to worry. Carlton (in a most brilliant move) includes audio CDs of each and every word in the course.

And these aren’t any of those cheesy “over the telephone” CDs. These are top quality, they sound like professional recording CDs.

(Oh, and as a quick aside, ladies… it’s pretty easy to fall in love with that voice of his. Pretty nice, let me tell ya….)

Oh well, back on track now. Let’s see, meaty course, high quality CDs… oh yeah. Swipe files.

Carlton is commonly known as the “most swiped copywriter on the ‘net.”

And rightfully so.

The guy’s writing is brilliant.

Whether you plan on writing ad copy or simply want to spice up your latest novel, reading anything Carlton writes will spark your creativity and rev up your writing.

Let me tell ya, watching him weave words around persuasive message is pure magic and allowing him to teach you how to do the same thing is true turbo power.

He also includes a year subscription to the Marketing Rebel Rant.

Never heard of it? That’s great. Because I’m not sure I want these golden nuggets of pure marketing magic flying around the Internet willy nilly.

Reading them is definitely well worth your time. His marketing/writing insights are invaluable.

Finally, you'll receive access to Mr. Carlton himself. He provides a top secret e-mail addy where you can mail you most recent marketing effort for his no holds barred critique.

Now I'll be honest here. I haven't taken advantage of this generous offer, yet.

However I've had the distinct pleasure of checking out a couple of his critiques and I must say they are thorough, eye-opening, and very mind expanding. Well worth every cent... even though it's part of the package.

He also includes a coupon for ½ off the normal price of one of his telephone consultation. Again, I haven't taken advantage of this great deal but perhaps I'll drum up the nerve to schedule one.

Wish List:

It's really hard to come up with any improvements on this course. Seriously. Carlton more than covers every base when it comes to creating a very lucrative freelance wrting/copywrting career.

But now that I think about it... I'd LOVE to see him include more Rants in the package.

I've totally fallen in love with his Rebel Rants. In fact, after reading just a few issues I started nagging his ever-patient assistant and begged her to allow me to purchase all the back issues.

Thankfully she allowed me to do so and it was positively a brilliant move on my part.

I've gleaned more marketing tips, more writing advice, and more “Operation Moneysuck” techniques than I can count.

Shoot. I forgot to mention Carlton's patented “Operation Moneysuck.” Guess you'll have to absorb the intricacies of this powerful freelance money-magnet when you pick up your own copy of “John Carlton's Kick Ass Copywriting Secrets of a Marketing Rebel.” :)

Final Verdict:

*****

Five Stars... our highest rating.

You get a huge payoff for every dollar you invest in this course.

You'll receive insider information you won't find anywhere else (and believe me, I've read more books on this subject than I can count).

Carlton's critiques are pure gold. Right now you can receive unlimited critiques for a year, but he's limiting that to five per year very soon.

It's a fantastic investment, yet because of John’s tight controls, it hasn't swept the writing community. And it probably never will.

http://www.JohnCarlton.com